Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

April 15, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 51 William A. Landau New York Exhibitors To Hold Love Feast Landau Wrests Presidency of T. 0. C. C. From Brandt (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 4.— Now thai the rank and tile of the Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce have commenced to recover from the shock of having the presidency of the organization wrested from William Brandt, the next thing on tap is a big love feast. This is to take the form of a testimonial dinner to the retiring president. Incidentally t h e occasion will mark the installation of the newly elected officials. The love feast will take place at the Ritz-Carlton on April 20, and many of the prominent exhibitors who are interested in both the M. P. T. O. and the T. O. C. C. are hoping that the strained relations which have existed between many members of the two organizations, will be smoothed into harmony. Election Is Surprise The defeat of Mr. Brandt by William A. Landau for the leadership of the T. O. C. C, which was effected at the annual meeting at the Hotel Astor last Tuesday, came as a great surprise to all except the Brandt opposition, which apparently was exceptionally well organized. So certain were the Brandt adherents of victory that they wagered heavily, and according to current rumor, lost between $25,000 and $30,000 — much of it at odds of jive to one. The election was so close as to be intensely exciting, difference of but six votes separating Brandt and Landau when the polling ceased. Landau having seventy votes and Brandt sixty-four. The Brandt advocates do not hesitate to assert that the downfall of their candidate was made possible by the talk made by Sydney Cohen during the election in which he is said to have announced his intention of voting for Mr. Landau, and giving his reasons for so doing. Officers Are Named Following is the result of the balloting: William Landau, president; Charles Steiner, first vice president; J. Alton Bradbury, second vice president; S. A. Moross, secretary, and Hyman Rachmil. treasurer. Executive committee: Loe , Brecker and David Wcinstock, for Manhattan: Rudolph Sanders and Samuel Sonin for Brooklyn; Bernard Edelhertz for the Bronx, Hy Gainsboro for Queens: Charles Moses for Richmond and Louis F. Blumenthal and David Keizerstein for New Jersey. The finance committee is as follows: Max Barr, Samuel Peyser and Samuel Sonin. Two Men Being Considered As Kansas League Manager M. Van Praag Makes Public Resolution Condemning United Artists for Attitude on Supplying Service to Schools and Churches (S fecial to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, KAN., April 4. — Exhibitors of this state are confident that the achievements of this year's convention at W ichita last week set a high water mark for organization activities. The question of exchanges supplying non-theatrical organizations with service was settled amicably, United Artists being the only company withholding its signature from the agreement. Delegates sanctioned the president's suggestion that a business manager be engaged. Adjustment committee appointed by the president will sit with exchange managers on rental reduction cases, the managers to abide by the recommendations of the committee. Laemmle Offers Rental Reduction Plan One of the greatest surprises of the convention was the offer tendered by President Carl Laemmle of Universal. His film rental reduction proposition was enthusiastically received by league members. Brother of K. C. B. Joins Universal Staff ( Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, April 4.— Wellford Beaton, brother of K. C. B., has joined Malcolm S. Boylan's publicity staff at Universal City. The following drastic resolution condemning United Artists' attitude on the non-theatrical question was adopted: Practice Detrimental Whereas, the custom of the exchanges has heen to serve schools and churches with regular pictures that were on the market for distribution to exhibitors, and whereas in a number of churches there has been installed complete equipment, such as is used in motion picture theatres, and regular pictures shown in direct competition to theatres, and Whereas, this practice is detrimental, harmful and threatening the existence of motion picture theatres, and whereas every film exchange and distributor in the Kansas City territory, with the exception of the United Artists Corporation, have realized the danger of this practice and have 3"p*"t i*i witing nnt to serve anv film to any school, church or auditorium, except through local exhibitors (not inctaiding educational or scenic films, which we believe are adequate to be shown in schools or churches). Therefore, be it resolved that this organization go on record as condemning this as unfair and arbitrary and detrimental to the best interests of the exhibitors and that this organization refrain from using any product of this company and. Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be mailed to every exhibitor in Kansas; that it be given wide publicity in the trade papers and that copies be sent to Charles Chaplin. Douglas Fairbanks and D. W. Griffith. In sanctioning President Van Praag's recommendation that a manager be appointed, the first step is taken toward making the M. P. T. O. of K. a "business institution." At the present time the president has two men under consideration for the office. President Van Praag believes that the Conventions NATIONAL: To be held at Washington, D. C, at the New Willard hotel on May 8 to 12. WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA: To be held at the Ft. Pitt hotel in Pittsburgh on April 10, 11 and 12. MINNESOTA: To be held at Minneapolis on April 10, 11 and 12 at the Radisson hotel. An exposition will be held in conjunction with it. WEST VIRGINIA: To be held at the Chancellor hotel at Parkersburg on April 11. NEW JERSEY: To be held in June, place and date not yet determined. MAINE: To be held in June. Date and place will be announced later. CONNECTICUT: To be held at New Haven on June 6. business manager plan will be one of the greatest stepping stones to perfection in organization and efficiency. His headquarters will be in the Fox building at Nineteenth and Wyandotte streets, Kansas City, Mo. Oppose Foreign Films Resolutions adopted follow: Favoring the "Official Urban Movie Chats," against foreign films, against Obenchain picture, and favoring reduced film rentals. The executive committee members appointed were: A. F. Baker of Kansas City; H. McClure of Emporia; Stanley Chambers of Wichita; R. G. Liggett of Kansas City and J. I. Saunders of Cheney. On the adjustment committee, the president named the following: Roy Burford of Arkansas City; J. P. Everett of Poa'o; R. G. Liggett and H. L. Gees of Mulberry. Exhibitors Convention Plans Include Series Of Interesting Tours (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 4.— It will not be all work and no play for the delegates and visitors at the annual convention of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America at Washington, D. C, May 8 to 12. The committee in charge is determined that every one, especially the women, is going to see the national capitol from every point of vantage. Trips to Arlington Cemetery, Mount Vernon, and Rock Creek Park have already been arranged. Congress will be in session during the convention and various tours of the public buildings are to be scheduled. A special effort will be made to have every exhibitor attending call on the senators and representatives from his community. A number of the large accessory manufacturers and others have already arranged to take space in the Accessory Exposition which will be held at the Coliseum on Pennsylvania Avenue. Start Film Program (Special to Exhibitors Herald) DECATUR, ILL., April 4.— Motion pictures have been inaugurated at the Empress theatre and prices have been reduced to 10 and 18 cents.